Currency conversion

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I am sure this has been discussed before, but between exchanging money at your bank before you go or exchanging at the airport once you arrive, which is the best way to go? Arriving in Johannesburg if that makes any difference.
 
I did it at my bank before they got bought out. They charged $10 and gave a killer conversion rate.

Last time I was in South Africa, I needed extra rand, and I had an excess of euros from a layover. It was a pain in the rear end to get money changed over in pottchefstroom, where I was staying with friends. It actually never happened. The red tape was in full force, and they would simply tell you to take a number, never mind the fact that they had only one person authorized to do them, and they were on vacation....

I got it changed at a mall in Jberg at an American Express storefront. Completely random, my friend had a meeting in jberg, and I tagged along to browse while he was there.
 
If you want to get ripped off do it at the airport.

Your bank is a good place to do it. Some charge a service fee and some don't. Or do like a friend did and do it all at the ATM once you get to South Africa. Just be aware of others if you use the ATM and it is best if you have a group with you when you do. Most businesses take Visa and the only place that I actually used any rand during my hunt was for tips and I had brought that over from home and got it through my bank.
 
We have used Bank of America in the past with good exchange rates.. the only stuff up was the sent small bills (Rand) so we had these bricks of 10’s 20’s and 50’s.
We have also used AAA since we are members however they could only get Rand I needed Pula as well since we were also hunting in Botswana. I ended up just using my ATM card in either Gabs or Maun it worked just fine and gave me the best rate believe it or not.
 
Best way to get foreign currency is to use your bank card at an ATM when you are in-country. The exchange rate at the airport ATM will always be el-stinko so find someplace in town. If you don't need walking money in local currency, just use your Amex or Visa but be sure to let bank, financial institutions know you are traveling. I was in Jo'burg a few years ago, and could not use my Visa/Mastercard because I had not told them I was in Africa on business. Most major banks can send you Fx via mail, but still the rates are better overseas.
 
Sir,
If your just going to South Africa you really don’t need a bunch of currency. Your bank is the best place in my opinion to get it though. Tell the bank how you want the currency and they will usually accommodate!
The US dollar is welcomed in hard cash or by credit card in most places. Your tips can be in US dollars as well....your PH and camp staff will appreciate it if you make sure the bills are new with the latest security features.
 
My bank has been a PIA with getting currency. Rates and Fees and delays.

So, ATM in what ever country I hit. Yes, there is a fee, but the rate is as good as you'll typically get.
(Every bank is different, check your own)

One "ATM" happened to be a local business that exchanged local currency for dollars I had. The source still started at a foreign ATM.
 
I actually took quite a bit of SA rand for tips to the camp help and since we had planned to do a tour afterwards I spent just about all of it.

I was told that if it is US dollars that they should be as crisp as lettuce and snap like a potato chip will before a lot of the locals will take it. That along with the camp staff not having a real easy way to convert the US dollars to SA rand. I did however tip my PH in US dollars, he was headed over here to Colorado the following year for a elk hunt.
 
An ATM, without a doubt. Banks are OK but not great rates, if yours has the foreign cash at all. I asked the rates at an exchange in the Frankfurt airport once for some Euro and had to hold a serious cough back. Walked down to an ATM and did much better. Same holds true for Namibia and RSA. One word of advise, find out what day the local welfare check comes out in RSA and get your money before or after that day. I was touring around that day and everywhere there was a bank and ATM there was always a long line.
 
Use the ATM's better exchange rates. When I went the outfitter say to tip the PH and Cook/hotel manager in Dollars and the rest of the staff in Rand. I took enough Dollars to tip those, plus some small bills for others that required "tips." Everywhere else I used the ATM or credit cards - Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia & RSA.
 
Six trips to SA, never changed currency, my Mastercard was welcome everywhere. Otherwise your outfitter is happy with Euros or USD.
 
AAA will exchange it for you and even take it back.
 
Just curious as to what some of your banks charge in percentage terms after fees and exchange rates. I investigated four banks in my area and the cost was more than the airport in Joburg. The best rates in Joburg, I found, was at one bank, who's name I can't remember. My PH took me there. After the first year, I knew I was returning and he changed a hundred bucks in to rand and I used that for tips and small purchases.
 
We converted cash at the airport in ATL, and it didn't seem like a huge rip off (maybe $30 for $300 turned into rands, and trust me I've wasted $30 on a lot stupider stuff), and you can convert any left over money back for free as long as you have the receipt when you fly back through.
I think you can do it online and have the rands shipped to your home if that is something you are interested in.
 
We leave in 11 days for Namibia. Our bank can convert 1000$ US to South African Rand for 82US$. Is that a good deal?? Never done this before. We have some excursions at Skeleton Coast that won’t take credit cards. Can’t get Namibia $ but they also take the Rand there.
 
We leave in 11 days for Namibia. Our bank can convert 1000$ US to South African Rand for 82US$. Is that a good deal?? Never done this before. We have some excursions at Skeleton Coast that won’t take credit cards. Can’t get Namibia $ but they also take the Rand there.

No. You are loosing money converting USD to Rand and then you will lose more money when you pay in Rand in Namibia. What are the fees your bank will charge you to use the ATM in Namibia? If less than $82 dollars, (I suspect it will be) use the ATM. But suspect, (1) you could just as easy and cheaper exchange in Namibia or (2) pay in USD.
 
Ok thanks for the info!! Will try US$ 1st. I’ve never had anyone over there turn them down before!!
 
Is that a $82 service fee or are you missing another number?

If it is a service fee your bank is ripping you off.
 
The way I figured it with their conversion rate vs today’s conversion rate was they were charging me 82$ to convert the US dollars to rand
 

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